Punch action



A. w. MILLS V PUNCH ACTION Feb. 16, 1932.

Filed July 1, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l Elwuemtoz 1 W M 61mm: 8

16; as! M); Ma v Mam A. W. MILLS Feb. 16, 1932.

PUNCH ACTION Filed y 1, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 abfo'm S M, MW Y W A. W. MILLS PUNCH ACTION Feb. 16,1932.

Filed July 1, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gnve/ntoz Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT W. MILLS, 01? EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULATING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PUNCH ACTION Application filed July 1,

In the card punching art, it is the general practice to utilize punch actions which coinprise one or more punches operated by a common actuating bail. Provision is made for selecting the punch or punches for operation by means of interposer devices which are placed intermediate the main actuator and the punch by suitable selector means such as manually operable keys. In punches of this class the punches are usually restored after each punching operation by means of springs. The main actuator has usually been actuated by a solenoid and the circuit to this solenoid has been established by the operation of the interposer members.

The present invention has for its object the simplification of the punching mechanism to the general end that punching operations may be efi'ected very rapidly and with the minimum of effort upon the part of the operator. Provision is made for both positively actuating the punches and for positively withdrawing the punches after the punching operation. The use of individual springs is obviated.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a simple means for selecting and actuating a punch or punches. the actuation of the selected punch being ettected by a constantly running main actuator. Means are provided for positively restoring the punch after it has been actuated by means of the same main actuator. A further object of thepresent invention resides in the provision of a simple construction for efiecting punch operations under the power of a constantly running main actuator and for providing for a single punch operation and the preventing of repeat operations in the event that the selector device is held in displaced position.

' A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a punch selecting and actuating mechanism which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which will be adapted to require the minimum of efiort to operate the same.

In the drawings,

1925. Serial No. 40,714.

of a punching apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional view taken on just prior to the commencement of the restoring operation.

Fig. 6 shows the position of the parts in normal position after punching operation but withthe key maintained depressed.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views of a modification of the invention showing one punch and corresponding restoring mechanism.

In the drawings, 10 designates the punches which are suitably guided and cooperate with. the stripper and die 11 and 12. The card to be punched is inserted in the die in any de sired manner and may be fed after each punching operation in any manner now well known in the art. Cooperating with each of the punches is a bell crank member 13 pivoted upon a shaft 44 and preferably having a nose portion engaging and fitting in a slot disposed in theside of the punch stem. The individual bell cranks 13 are each connected to secondary actuators 14;. The configuration of the secondary actuator is best shown in Fig. 4. Each is provided with a shouldered portion 15 for cooperation with a restoring bail 16. It has a lug or shoulder 17 thereon for cooperation with a pawl or latch 18 and is provided with a toothed portion 19 and an end or cam surface 20 for cooperation with a fixed cam 21. The secondary actuators are vertically guided by a comb plate 22 and are yieldingly held in raised position by springs 23. a Keg board The keyboard and key selected and actuated means for selecting the punches for operation comprise a plurality of selector or key Fig. 1 illustrates a side part sectional view levers 24 pivoted upon a shaft 25. Each key lever or selector carries the usual key button 26 which may be numbered or lettered as desired. One pawl or dog 18 is pivotally secured to each kev member and resiliently held against a suitable stop or lug 27 by means of a spring 28. The key members may be drawn to upper position in any suitable manner as bysprings 29.

Main actuator and drive The main actuator preferably is of the form shown in F i s. 1 and 2. It comprises a fluted or toothed shaft 30 suitably gournaled in the machine frame and arrange to be constantly driven by any suitable source of power such as the electrlc motor 31. The individual teeth on the main actuator are designated 32.

Punch restoring mechanism The means for restoring the punches preferably comprises a restoring member 33 (Fig. 5) preferably pivotally supported at one end by a link 34 and having a. shouldered portion 35 cooperatively disposed with respect to the restorm bail 16. The restoring member is provide with a hooked end 36 adapted for cooperation with the teeth 32 of the main actuator. It is also preferably provided with camming surfaces 38 and 39 adapted for cooperation with suitable means such as studs 40 and 41 fixed to the frame of the machine. Preferably a suitable spring 42 is also connected to the restoring member.

To efi'ect punching, the operator depresses the desired key (for example, the key lettered '26 in Fig. 1). The key lever 24 is then depressed pressing down upon dog 18. With the parts in normal position (Fig. 1) a notch 43 in the dog 18 is in engagement with the lug 17 Consequently, the lowering of dog 18 depresses or displaces the corresponding sec-.

ondary actuator 14 to the position shown in Fig. 3. The toothed portion 19 of the secondary actuator is now in position to be engaged by the toothed portion 32 of the main actuator as the latter rotates in a clockwise direction and draws the secondary actuator 14 to the right thus positively forcing the corresponding punch through the paper or card to be punched (see Fig. 4).

Part 14 finally reaches such a position that part or cam surface 20 thereof contacts with and rides up cam 21 but before the parts have reached the position the lug 17 will have been withdrawn clear of and out of cooperation with the notch 43 in dog 18. The purpose of the engaging and camming action at 20-21 is to provide means for positively withdrawing the secondary actuator from engagement and cooperation with the main actuator after a punching operation is completed. It will be understood that this disengagement will take place irrespective of any maintained depression or actuation of the selector means such as key 26 inasmuch as at this time in the cycle parts 17 and 18 are out of cooperation.

Restoring action During the punching stroke, the restoring bail 16 will have been moved from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fi 4 by one of the shoulders 15 of the secon ary actuator enaging the bail and displacing it to the right. his movement of the bail will effect a corresponding movement of the restoring member 33 inasmuch as the bail will engage shoulder 35 thereon. The above movement of the restoring member will, on account of cam edges 38-39 engaging studs 4041 (see Fig. 5), cause the hook or tip 36 to be displaced to such position as to be engaged by an oncoming tooth 32 of the mam actuator 30 (see Fig. 4). It will be understood that the parts are so proportioned that the restoring member does not engage the tooth of the main actuator at the same time as the secondary actuator does. It lags by substantially one half tooth cycle, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, which shows tooth 19 just before it is disengaged from 32 and tooth 36 just before engagement. fter engagement has taken place, the rotation of the main actuator thrusts the restoring member to the left, restoring bail 16 from the csition shown in Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 6 and thus positively restores the punch or punches which have been displaced. It will be understood that as the restoring member is moved to effect restoration of the punches it is positively disengaged from the main actuator by means of the cam devices 38394041. When the restoring operation is complete, the tip 36 is com letely disengaged and the parts are ready or a subsequent and possibly different punch selection and punching operation.

Fig. 6 further illustrates the means for preventing repeat punching operations in the event that the punch selector means, such as the key, is held down. With 24 depressed the secondary actuator upon its return movement will move from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 6 and the lug 17 will engage the side of the dog 18 and displace it against the tension of spring 28 to the position shown in Fig. 6. It is now. necessary to again elevate the selector lever 24 to permit re-engagement of notch 43 with lug 17 before the secondary actuator can again be brought into cooperation with the main actuator.

It will be further understood that the device is adapted for punching two or more holes simultaneously. It is only necessary that the selector members 24 be displaced simultaneously. The device also is adapted for extremely rapid operation as the selectors may be operated or selected in rapid succession even before the precedingly operated or selected selector has been restored to home position. It is only necessary to operate the selectors at a sutlicient time interval to allow the respective different secondary actuations to engage different or successive teeth on the main actuator. The speed of operation of the main actuator may be varied as desired or in accordance with the skill of the operator or speed of operation of the selectors.

Fig. 7 illustrates a different embodiment of the invention in which a single punch 10 only is illustrated and in which the restoring member 33 is directly connected to bell crank 13 instead of acting thereon through the restoring bail.

The key or selector action is also slightly different. Member 24a carries a lug 60 which when depressed by lowering of the left end of 24a engages a dog 18a pivoted upon the secondary actuator 14 and draws it down to engaging position. Spring 29a serves the dual function of drawing down on 33'and of throwing up upon part 24a. Inother respects the action is the same as that of the device previously described.

WhatI claim is v 1. A punching apparatus comprising in combination, a main actuator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of secondary actuators therefor, each selectively engageable with the said main actuator, restoring means for said secondary actuators and punches also operable by said main actuator, and means automaticallycontrolled by the action of the secondary actuators for bringing the restoring means into operative connection with said main actuator.

2. A punching apparatus comprising in combination, a main actuator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of secondary actuators therefor, each selectively engageable with the said main actuator, restoring means for said actuators and punches also operable by said main actuator, means operated by the secondary actuators for .displacing the restoring means into cooperation with the main actuator, and means for displacing said restoring means out of engagement with the main actuator by and" upon the restoring movement thereof.

3. In a punching apparatus in combination with a plurality of punches, a plurality of secondary actuators one for each punch, a constantly driven main actuator having provisionsfor operating any selected secondary actuator, a plurality of selecting devices for bringing any selected secondary actuator into cooperation with the main actuator, and means for preventing repeated operations of the secondary actuator by said main actuator upon only a single operation of the selecting devices.

4. A punching apparatus comprising a plurality of punches, a plurality of secondary actuators therefor, a constantly running individual means for bringing the secondary actuators into operative relation with the main actuator, and means also driven by the same main actuator for positively restoring the punches and the secondary actuators to normal position after a punching operation.

5. A punching apparatus including a-main actuator, a plurality of punches, secondary actuators therefor cooperating respectively and individually with the punches and said main actuator, positive restoring means for said punches and said secondary actuators operated by the main actuator, and means for initiating an operation of said restoring means by means of and upon the operation.

of the secondary actuators by said main actuator.

6. A punching apparatus including a main actuator, a plurality of punches, secondary actuators therefor cooperating respectively and individually with the punches and said. main actuator, restoring means for said punches and said secondary actuators operated by the main actuator, and means operated by the secondary actuators upon their operation for initiating an operation of the restoring means by the main actuator, and means for positively disengaging the restoring means from said main actuator after the restoring operation is completed.

7. A punching apparatus comprising a punch, common operating means for actuating and restoring said punch, a constantly operating main actuator, a secondary actuator for connectingsaid operating means to said main actuator for a punching operation and another secondary actuator controlled by said first named secondary actuator for connecting said operating means to said main actuator for a restoring. operation.

8. A punching apparatus comprising a punch, operating means connected thereto, a rotatable actuator and driving means for constantly rotating the same, coupling means for selectively connecting said operating means to said actuator to effect a punching operation, punch initiating means for controllin said coupling means, depressible keys or operating said initiating means, and means for rendering an operated initiating means ineffective for more than a single operation while the key for operating it is still depressed.

9. A punching apparatus comprising a punch, operating means therefor for eiiecting a punching operation and positively restoring said punch thereafter, a rotatable ac tuator and driving means for constantly rotating the same, coupling means for selectively connecting said operating means, to said actuator, said means comprising a member movable into engagement with said actuator to be operated thereby to effect a main actuator for said secondary actuators, punching operation, coupling means for selectively connecting said operating means to said actuator for a restoring operation, said last named coupling means including a member movable into en agement with said actuator by the operation of said first named member.

10. A punching device comprising a plurality of normally stationary punches, means movable relatively to the punches for imparting a punching movement to some of said punches, the remaining punches being held stationary, a main actuator for actuat ing said means, means for disengaging said actuator from said means and means operated by said actuator for restorin the punches after operation and after isengagement of said first named means from said actuator.

11. A punching device comprising a series of punches, means for reciprocating the same, means for actuating said first-named means, manual selectors for connecting both of said previously mentioned means to each other, means for-automatically disconnecting said means from each other, and a resetting member connected to all of the punches for automatically retracting them after operation thereof.

12. In a perforator, a line of punches, elongated operating members therefor arranged in parallel planes, and a constantly running actuator moving in the direction of length of said members and engaging the latter to effect punching, said punches be ing arranged in a column, and each punch being in the plane of a corresponding one of the operating members.

13. In a machine, a line of punches, elongated operating members therefor arranged in parallel planes, and a constantly running actuator moving in the direction of length of said members and engaging the latter to effeet punching, and positive restoring means for said punches.

14. In a machine, a line of punches, elongated operating members therefor arranged in parallel planes, and a constantly running actuator moving in the direction of length of said members and engaging the latter to effect punching and positive restoring means for the punches actuated by said actuator.

15. In a machine, a line of punches, elongated operating members therefor arranged in parallel planes, and a constantly running actuator moving in the direction of length of said members and engaging the latter to effect unching, and said punches and members eing pivotally connected.

16. In a perforator, an actuator, punches,

" coupling means between said actuator and sai punches to cause punching and restoring means for the punches pivotally connected to the coupling means.

17. In a perforator, a rotating actuator, punches, means connected to said punches,

and engaged by said actuator for causing punching, and restoring means for the punches engaged by said actuator at a point circumferentially spaced from the point of engagement of the actuator with the said means.

18. In a record-perforating machine, a plurality of punches, an interposer bar engaging each punch, a nogmally running actuator for actuating said interposer and means for moving the said interposer bars into cooperation with said actuator, said latter means being automatically released from cooperation with an interposer bar after a single operation thereof.

19. In a record-perforating machine, punches, coupling members, each of the latter being constantly in o erative position with respect to a correspon ing punch, a constantly rotating toothed actuator and means for selectively moving any one of said members from an inoperative position with re spect to said actuator to an operative position with respect thereto for effecting operation of the punches, and means for automatically preventing more than one operation of the punches upon each operation of the coupling members.

20. In a perforating machine, slidable punches, coupling means associated with the punches, a constantly running actuator, and selectors for selectively coupling said coupling means to the actuator to effect operation of the corresponding punches and means for preventing a repeat operation of the punches upon eachoperation of the selectors.

21. In a machine for perforating records having parallel columns of index point positions adapted to be perforated to denote different designations; a row of punches and coacting dies, each punch being opposite a corresponding index point position of a card column when the card is in punching position and each punch being adapted to perforate only a corresponding index point position, means for slidably guiding the punches for reciprocatory movement, bell levers pivoted to the punches, links pivoted to the bell levers, a constantly running actuator, selectors for selectively engaging said links directly with the constantly running actuator to cause a punching operation by the punches associated with the engaged links, and means for causing only a single punch operation by a selected punch upon each selecting operation.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

ALBERT W. MILLS. 

